Samyuktha Hasthas (Two - hand gestures)
Anjali Mudra is the joining of two Pataka poses. Anjali is prescribed by the wise to imply salutations to deities, elders/teachers and twice-born. The hand ought to be placed above the head, in front of the face and in front of the chest (respectively for the three people referred).
Viniyoga Sloka:
Devataguru Vipranaam Namaskaraepyanukramaat Karyas shiromukhorastho Viniyoganjali karaha
Sloka Translation:
Used for the salutation to God, Teacher and the Learned. We hold the Anjali hasta above the head for the Gods, in front of the face for the teachers and in front of chest for the learned.
Kapota Mudra is the pose wherein the two Pataka hands are joined and cupped towards the finger tips, sides and base of the pose. Kapota is applied to depict respectful salutation, conversation with teachers, mark of obedience and acceptance.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Pranaamae Gurusambhashae
Vinayangi kritaeshwayam
Sloka Translation:
To show respectful salutation to the teachers, as a mark of acceptance and to show politeness (vinayam).
Karkata Mudra is the pose where the fingers of both hands are interlocked and stretched across. Karkata Mudra is applied to indicate arrival of many (people), sight of belly, blowing the conch, stretching the limbs and bending a bench.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Samoohaa gamanae Tundadarshanae
Shankhapoorane Angaanaam Motane
Shaakhonnamaanecha Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show the arrival of a crowd, showing the belly, blowing the shanku (counch), twisting & stretching the limbs and bending branch of a tree.
Svastika Mudra pose is formed when the two Pataka pose are held across and held together at the wrist. Svastika is used to denote a crocodile.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Samyogena Swastikakhyo Makarae viniyujyate
Bhayavade Vivadecha Keertane Swastikobhavet
Sloka Translation:
To show an Alligator (a crocodile), talking with fear, to show an argument and to praise.
Dola Mudra is formed when the Pataka pose is placed along the sides of the thighs. At the commencement of natya, Dola is the pose prescribed by experts.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Naatyarambhe Prayoktavyam Iti Natyavidovidhuhu
Sloka Translation:
Used in the beginning of a dance.
Puspaputa Mudra is formed when two Sarpasirsa are held together. Puspaputa is utilized for indicating waving of lights, acceptance of water, fruits, etc., offering to Gods, dusk and tributes paid with incantations (i.e., mantras act like floral tributes).
Viniyoga Sloka:
Neeraajenavidhou baala
Vaari Phaladikrehanaepicha
Sandhyayaam marghyadaanecha
Mantrapushpecha yujyathae
Sloka Translation:
To show Lamp Offering, Children, Accept Fruits, Offering to the Sun in the evenings and Chant Holy prayers.
Utsanga Mudra is formed according to the masters of natya when two Mrigasirsa poses are placed on the upper arms of the opposite sides. Utsanga is used to indicate tight embrace, bashfulness, display of armlets, etc., and training the boys.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Aalinganaecha lajjayaam
Angadaadipradarshanae
Baalanaamshikshanechayaam
Utsango yujyatae karaha
Sloka Translation:
To show embracing someone, shyness, show one’s body and to show teaching discipline to children.
When Sikhara pose of right hand is placed over the Ardhachandra pose of left hand, the resultant is called Sivalinga Mudra. Sivalinga pose is to indicate the linga (representation) of Siva.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Viniyogastu tatsyva Shivalingasya darshanae
Sloka Translation:
To show Shivalinga (Lord Shiva).
When the two Katakamukha poses are crossed at the wrist, forming a Svastika, the pose is called as Katakavardhana Mudra according to dancers. Katakavardhana Mudra is used to indicate coronation ceremony, worship and nuptial bond.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Pattabhishaekae Poojayam Vivahadishu Yujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Coronation, to worship and to show weddings.
Both hands showing Kartarimukha poses held at wrists form a Svastika. This pose is called as Kartarisvastika. Kartarisvastika Mudra denotes branches, peaks of hills and trees.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Shakhaasucha Adri Shikhare
Vruksheshucha Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show the branches of a tree, tip of Mountains and Trees.
When both the middle fingers and the thumb are separated in Bhramara pose the gesture is called Sakata Mudra. Sakata pose is used to denote a demon and found to be used in playing his role.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Raakshasaabhinayechaayam
Niyukto Bharatadibhihi
Sloka Translation:
To show Demons.
When the thumb of one hand meets the thumb of the Sikhara of the other hand, with its fore-finger clasping the thumb, the pose is called Sankha Mudra. Sankha Mudra denotes conch etc., things in its shape according to Bharata and others.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Shankhaadishuniyujyoya
Mityevam Bharataadayaha
Sloka Translation:
To show shanku (Conch).
Chakra Mudra is resultant when the palms of the Ardhacandra touch each other with one hand vertical and the other placed horizontally over the other. Chakra Mudra indicates a wheel.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Chakrahastassa vigneyachakrarthe viniyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Chakra, the weapon of Lord Vishnu.
When the fingers in Chakra hasta are bent in such a way that there is a hollow at the center of the palm we get the Samputa Hasta.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Varvacgade sampute cha samputah krah iritaha
Sloka Translation:
It says that Samputa is used to denote
Concealment of objects. It can be used to show secrets or something that is kept safely. it can also denote something that is hidden.
To show the chest.
When the index fingers of Suci are bent inwardly and joined, the gesture is called Pasa Mudra. Pasa Mudra is used to indicate mutual tussle, chain and noose.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Anyonyakalahe Paashe
Shynkhalaayaam Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Playful, Quarrel, Rope and Chains.
When in Mrigasirsa, the little fingers are inwardly bent and joined, they form Kilaka Mudra. Kilaka Mudra is used to indicate love and jocular conversation.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Snehecha Narmalaapecha
Viniyogosya Sammataha
Sloka Translation:
To show friendly talk.
When the thumbs and little finger are out-stretched and one hand’s palm is placed on the back of the other palm it forms the Matsya Mudra. Matsya Mudra is used to indicate a fish.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Etasya Viniyogastu
Matsyarthe Sammatobhavet
Sloka Translation:
To show Fish.
Kurma Mudra is formed when the tip of thumb and little fingers in Chakra are stretched and remaining fingers are intertwined. Kurma Mudra is to depict a tortoise.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Koormahastasyavigneyaha
Koormarthe Viniyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Turtle, Tortoise
Varaha Mudra is formed when the two Mrigasirsa hands are placed one upon the other with one hand’s thumb joining the other hand’s little finger and others outstretched. Varaha Mudra is to depict a boar.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Etasyaviniyogastu Varaharthe tu Yujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Boar (Wild Pig)
Garuda Mudra is when the thumbs of two Ardhacandra are placed on each other with hand stretched out on either directions and with thumbs interlocked. Garuda Mudra is to indicate a hawk (Garuda).
Viniyoga Sloka:
Garudo Garudarthe cha Yujyate Baratagame
Sloka Translation:
To show a bird called Garuda.
The Sarpasirsa crossed with Svastika hands forms Nagabandha Mudra. Nagabandha Mudra is to denote the twining of snake.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Bhujagadampatee Bhaave
Nikunchanaamcha darshane
Athrvanasya mantreshu
Yojyo Bharatakovidhihi
Sloka Translation:
To show Snakes, Creeper, Chamber and Atharva Veda Slokas.
Katva Mudra is formed when one Catura hand is placed over another Catura hand with the index finger and thumb of both the hands stretched out. Katva Mudra is used to indicate a cot and palanquin.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Khatvahastobhavedeshaha
Khatvaadishu Niyujyate
Sloka Translation:
To show Bed.
Bherunda Mudra is formed when two Kapittha hands are held together at wrists. Bherunda Mudra indicates Bherunda (an mythological figure) and a bird-pair.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Bherundhapakshi Dampatyorbherundhaka Eteeritaha
Sloka Translation:
To show a bird couple.
When both hands held in Alapadma hasta are crossed at the wrists and placed near the chest we get the Avahitta hand gesture.
Viniyoga Sloka:
Srungara Natanechiva Leelaa
Kanduka dharane Kucharthe
Yujyate Soyamavahitthakaraabhidhaha
Sloka Translation:
To show Love, Catching the ball and Breasts.